By the Corvaj team · Updated
Australian resumes tend to be a little longer than American ones and often list referees. For government and many larger employers, answering the selection criteria matters as much as the resume itself.
The Australian resume at a glance
- Called a resume, sometimes a CV. Two to three pages is common.
- Open with a short summary of your experience and strengths.
- Experience in reverse-chronological order with key achievements under each role.
- Skills, education and relevant certifications or licences.
- Contact details: name, phone number, email, suburb and state, and LinkedIn if you have one.
- Australian spelling, and a simple layout applicant tracking systems (ATS) can read.
Referees
Many Australian employers check referees before making an offer. Listing two, often recent managers, with their role, company and phone number is common, or you can write “Referees available on request”. Ask them first.
Selection criteria for government jobs
Public sector and some larger employers ask you to address selection criteria: a list of skills or capabilities in the job ad. Respond to each with a short, specific example, often using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result). Follow the format the ad asks for.
What to leave out
If you’re on a visa, a short line on your work rights (for example, “Full working rights in Australia”) saves recruiters asking.
- A photo.
- Your date of birth or age.
- Marital status, religion or similar personal details.
- Your tax file number (TFN). You only give it once you’re hired.
Tailor it to each job
- Search Seek, LinkedIn and, for federal government roles, APSJobs.
- Address the key selection criteria in the format the ad asks for.
- Use a short summary, not a “career objective”.
- State your visa type and work rights if you’re not a citizen or permanent resident.
Cover letter
Most Australian employers expect a one-page cover letter. Address it to the contact named in the ad, and link two or three achievements to what the role needs.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the selection criteria when the ad asks for them.
- Not stating your work rights when you’re on a visa.
- Referees who don’t know they’re listed.
- American spelling and date formats.
Sample resume
A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.
Mia Thompson
Parramatta, NSW · 04XX XXX XXX · [email protected] · linkedin.com/in/your-name
Full working rights in Australia
Summary
Hospitality supervisor with four years’ experience in busy cafés and restaurants. Strong at rostering, training staff and keeping service fast. Looking for an assistant manager role in Sydney.
Experience
Supervisor, Harbourside Café
- Supervise a team of 8 at a café serving 400 customers a day
- Cut average wait times by 20% with a new rostering system
- Trained 10 new staff in food safety and the point-of-sale system
Barista, Bean & Leaf
- Made 250+ coffees a shift and handled opening and closing
Education and certificates
Certificate IV in Hospitality
RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) · Food Safety Supervisor
Skills
Rostering (Deputy) · Staff training · Stock control · Customer service · Square POS
Referees
[Name], Venue Manager, Harbourside Café
[Name], Owner, Bean & Leaf
Why it works
- A short summary, not a career objective.
- Work rights stated in one line.
- Team size, volume and results under each role.
- Two referees who’ve agreed to be listed, and no photo or date of birth.
Example: turning a duty into a result
Hospitality supervisor
Before
Supervised staff at a busy café.
After
Supervised a team of 8 at a café serving 400 customers a day, cutting average wait times by 20% with a new rostering system.
Team size, volume and a result show the scale Australian employers look for.
By career stage
- Graduate or first job
- Lead with your degree or TAFE qualification, placements and part-time work. One to two pages.
- Changing careers
- Use the summary to name the new field, and list short courses or certificates for it near the top.
- Experienced
- Two to three pages. Lead with achievements, and for government roles, answer each selection criterion with a STAR example.
Resume keywords for ATS
Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.
- Hospitality supervisor
- rostering, RSA, food safety, staff training, customer service, stock control
- Administration officer
- Microsoft 365, records management, data entry, customer enquiries, scheduling
- Registered nurse
- AHPRA registration, patient assessment, medication administration, clinical documentation
Questions
How long should an Australian resume be?
Two to three pages is common. Keep it focused on the role.
Should I list referees on my resume?
Listing two, often recent managers, is common, or you can write “Referees available on request”. Ask them first.
What are selection criteria?
A list of capabilities in public sector and some larger employers’ job ads. Answer each with a short, specific example, often using the STAR method, in the format the ad asks for.
Should I mention my visa on my resume?
Yes, briefly, if you’re not a citizen or permanent resident: for example, “Full working rights in Australia”.
Should I include my tax file number?
No. You give your TFN only once you’re hired.
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